Exercise ZAPAD-2025: Strengthening multilateral defence synergy

What is it?

Exercise Zapad-2025 is a large-scale, multinational military drill hosted by Russia, aimed at simulating high-intensity conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations in diverse combat environments.

Origin & evolution

• Zapad means “West” in Russian.

• The exercise traces its roots to the Soviet era, with its modern series launched in 2009, conducted once every four years.

• India last took part in Zapad 2021.

Participants

Primarily led by Russia, the 2025 edition, held from September 12 to 16, includes India and other partner nations, reflecting deepening defence cooperation across Eurasia.

Objectives

• Boost strategic trust and defence collaboration among participating forces.

• Enhance joint planning, tactical coordination and interoperability.

• Sharpen preparedness for conventional and counter-terrorism operations.

• Facilitate exposure to emerging battlefield technologies and multinational command structures.

Key features

• Venue: Mulino Training Ground, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

• Indian participation: Tri-service contingent from the Army, Navy and Air Force.

• Focus areas: Company-level joint operations, tactical field drills, live-fire exercises and special ops training.

Strategic significance

Zapad-2025 reinforces India-Russia defence ties, promotes operational synergy and provides Indian forces valuable experience in multilateral combat environments, crucial for modern hybrid warfare preparedness.